Packaging machine



March 21, WW

J. W. SCULLY PACKAGING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1964ATTOF/VE Y March 21, 1967 .J. w. SCULLY PACKAGING MACHINE 4 Sheecg-Sheet5 Filed No'v.

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INVENTOR.

John W. .Scu/ly BY l1? P ATTORNEY m 3 Hum/m mm United States PatentOfiice 3,399,968 Patented Mar. 21, 1967 3,309,968 PACKAGING MACHINE JohnW. Scully, Raynham, Mass, assignor t Pneumatic Scale Corporation,Limited, Quincy, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Nov. 4,1%4, Ser. No. 408,877 28 Claims. (Cl. 93-441) This invention relates toa packaging machine, and more particularly to a machine for producinglined cartons.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improvedpackaging machine of the character specified having novel control meansadapted to discontinue the feed of lining material and carton blankswhen the supply of lined cartons exceeds a demand therefor by asubsequent machine in packaging line while permitting the machine tocontinue in operation, thereby enabling the machine to completeproduction of the lined cartons started through the machine whereby toclear the machine and to avoid stopping the machine with partiallyformed lined cartons therein.

With this general object in view and such others as may hereinafterappear, the invention consists in the packaging machine and in thevarious structures, arrang ments and combinations of parts hereinafterdescribed and particularly defined in the claims at the end of thisspecification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a packaging machine for producinglined cartons embodying the present control means;

FIG. 2 is an electrical diagram forming a part of the present controlmeans;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a control panel to be referred to;

FIG. 4 is a more or less diagrammatic side elevation of the packagingmachine showing the carton blank transfer mechanism and also showing thedischarge conveyer;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the lining material feed to be described,as viewed from the right hand side of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a similar view as seen from the left hand side in FIG. 1.

In general, the present invention contemplates novel control means for apackaging machine for producing lined cartons. The present invention isshown as embodied in a carton forming machine adapted to form a linedcarton upon a forming block and which may comprise a machine of thegeneral type illustrated and described in the United States patent toVergobbi, No. 2,364,406, issued Dec. 5, 1944. Such prior containerforming machines are provided with a plurality of radially extendedforming blocks arranged to be intermittently moved to present theforming blocks successively to the various lining and carton formingstations of the machine.

In the operation of such prior machines a lining sheet is first foldedabout a forming block to form a tube, the overlapping portions of thesheet being secured together to form a side seam for the liner. At asucceeding station of operation portions of the lining sheet extendingbeyond the end of the forming block are folded over the block to formthe bottom of the liner. At subsequent stations, a prescored liningblank is wrapped about the lining and block in a similar manner and thebottom closure completed, and then the lined carton is stripped from theforming block ready to be filled and top sealed. In practice, selectedportions of the lining sheet and carton blank are provided withadhesively coated areas for securing the overlapping portions of theside and bottom fold seams.

The lined cartons stripped from successive forming blocks are turnedupright on a conveyer and delivered to a succeeding machine, such as aweighing and filling machine, in a line of packaging machines. Prior tothe present invention, in the event that a surplus of lined cartonsaccumulated on the delivery conveyer for any reason, provision was madefor stopping the carton forming machine until such surplus cartons wereadvanced on the conveyer so as to prevent jamming of the cartons on theconveyer.

One of the problems encountered when the canton forming machine isbrought to rest at such times is that the adhesive applied to the liningsheets and carton blanks in the process of being formed is liable to dryand harden so that upon subsequent starting of the machine imperfectseals will be formed in those cartons produced from the partially formedmaterials in the machine when it was at rest. As a result, such linedcartons have to be discarded. Also, if the adhesive applying rolls arenot continuously rotated, the adhesive will tend to dry thereon,requiring cleaning of the rolls.

In accordance with the present invention, novel control mechanism isprovided for detecting a surplus of lined cartons in the deliveryconveyer and for discontinuing the transfer of carton blanks from asupply thereof into the machine and also for discontinuing the feed oflining material into the machine while permitting the machine tocontinue in operation without producing lined cartons. As a result, thelined cartons in the process of being formed will be completed andstripped from the forming blocks to be delivered to the conveyer,sufiicient space being provided on the conveyer to accept the linedcartons completed after the carton blank transfer and lining materialfeed is discontinued. Thus, the present control means enables themachine to continue in operation without producing cartons or liningsexcept to complete those already started through the machine. Also, theadhesive applying devices are continued in operation in a condition suchas to prevent the application of adhesive so as to maintain the adhesivein a fluid condition and to prevent hardening of the adhesive.

The present control means further includes means for starting andstopping the feed of carton blanks and lining sheets independently ofthe detecting means on the delivery conveyer. Thus, the machine may bestarted in operation at the beginning of a production run withoutproducing cartons so that the adhesive applying devices are enabled tospread the adhesive film evenly over the rolls before the carton blank-sand lining sheets are fed into the machine. As a result, when the cartonblanks and lining material are subsequently fed into the machine, thefirs-t lined cartons produced are provided with adequate adhesive coatedareas to produce efiicient seals. Likewise, if it is desired to stop themachine for any reason at any time during the production of linedcartons, the independent control may be actuated to discontinue the feedof carton blanks and lining material and permit completion of the linedcartons in the process of being produced to clear the machine beforestopping the machine.

Referring now to the drawings, in general, 10 representsdiagrammatically a carton forming machine provided with a plurality ofradial-1y extended forming blocks 12 about which the lined cartons areformed. The horizontally extended forming blocks are intermittentlyrotated to the various operating stations, herein identified by theletters A to H. In general, in the operation of the machine, a sheet oflining material 14 advanced into position under a forming block 12 iswrapped about the block, and the overlapping marginal edges of thelining sheet-are adhesively secured to provide a side seam, thus forminga tube having portions thereof extended beyond the end of the block.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lining sheets 14 are formed from acontinuous web 16 of lining material with drawn from a supply roll 18.During the production of cartons the web 16 is continuously withdrawnfrom the supply roll and is arranged to be advanced by feed rolls 20, 22through separable driving connections from the machine including a pawland ratchet clutch, indicated generally at 24, which is adapted to bedisengaged to discontinue the feed of lining material as effected by thepresent control means to be hereinafter described. In practice, adhesiveis applied to selected areas of the web 16, as indicated at 26 and 28,by adhesive applying mechanism indicated generally at 30 for sealing thesubsequently formed side seam and bottom closure. In practice, theforming blocks 12 may be heated, and the adhesive applied to the liningsheets may comprise a hot melt quick-drying adhesive so that when theoverlapping portions of the lining sheet are subjected to heat andpressure, the adhesive will be reactivated to produce a sealed seam.

The web of lining material 16 withdrawn from the supply roll is arrangedto be intermittently advanced one sheet length each cycle of operationby gear and rack mechanism indicated generally at 32 and which includesan electric clutch 34, see FIG. 1, adapted to be deenergized by thepresent control mechanism when the absence of a carton blank is detectedso as to prevent advance of a length of lining material upon operationof the gear and rack mechanism. The intermittently operated gear andrack mechanism 32 is arranged to rotate a feed roll 36 which cooperateswith presser rolls 38 to advance successive lengths of the withdrawn webinto operative position to a cutter, indicated generally at 40, forsevering successive lengths of the lining material. At this time thelining sheet is disposed in a position beneath the forming block atstation A to be wrapped about the block and to be provided with a sideseam to form a tube having portions extended beyond the block. Thisoperation is' performed by known means which includes a side seampresser, not shown, to set the seam, reference being made to theVergobbi Patent No. 2,364,406, above referred to. The forming block 12is then moved to station B where the extended portions of the tube arefolded against the bottom of the block by known means, not shown, toform an end closure, the overlapping portions of the end closure beingadhesively secured together.

The forming block 12 with its lining formed thereon is now moved tostation C where a prescored carton blank 42 is wrapped about the liningand the block and provided with an overlapping side seam to form a tube,the end closing flaps of the prescored carton extending beyond the endof the block to be folded against the end of the block and adhesivelysecured together at a subsequent station. As herein diagrammaticallyillustrated, successive carton blanks 42 are transferred from a stack 44thereof into the bight of a pair of feed rolls 46, 48 by suction meanscomprising a suction manifold 50 connected to a source of suction andhaving a plurality of suction elements 52 extended therefrom. Thesuction manifold is mounted to move with parallel link mechanismindicated generally at 54 and is cam operated to be moved each cycle ofoperation to present the suction elements into engagement with theuppermost blank in the stack 44 to pick up the blank and present theleading edge thereof into the feed rolls 46, 48. The feed rolls 46, 48are arranged to advance successive prescored carton blanks in spacedrelation onto a continuously moving intake conveyer 56 arranged toposition successive leading blanks into operative relation beneathsuccessive forming blocks to be wrapped about the lining previouslyformed thereon. During the continuous advance of the carton blanks onthe conveyer 56, selected areas of the blanks, as indicated at 58, areprovided with adhesive for the side seam and the bottom closure byadhesive applying mechanism indicated generally at 60.

After the carton blank is wrapped about the lining and provided with aside seam, the presser member is again brought against the side seam toset the seal, and the block is then moved to station D where the endclosure flaps are folded into overlapping relation by known means, notshown. At stations E and F pressure is applied to the bottom closure toset the adhesive seal, and at station G the completed lined carton isremoved from the forming block by cam operated stripping mechanismindicated generally at 62. Provision is made for tipping the strippedcarton into an upright position and discharging the same onto adischarge conveyer 64 leading to a subsequent machine in the line, suchas a weighing and filling machine, not shown. As herein shown, thestripped carton is received on a short conveyer 66 in a horizontalposition, and as it is advanced the carton passes over the end of theconveyer 66 and is tipped over to fall upright between suitable guidesonto the discharge conveyer 64 disposed below the conveyer 66 to beadvanced in spaced relation to succeeding stripped cartons. Station Hcomprises an idle station.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 for a more detailed description of thelining feed, the web of lining material 16 withdrawn from the supplyroll 18 by the feed rolls 20, 22 extends over a backup roll 68 arrangedto press the web against an adhesive applying roll 70 forming a part ofthe adhesive applying mechanism 30. The backup roll 68 is eccentricallymounted and is adapted to be rocked out of pressing engagement with theapplying roll 70 when the feed of lining material is discontinued, aswill be hereinafter described. The adhesive applying roll 70 is providedwith segmental portions arranged to apply the adhesive in strips at theselected areas 26, 28 of successive predetermined lengths of the web tobe subsequently severed into individual sheets. The web then passes overa curved chill plate 72 to dry the hot melt adhesive, over a guide roll74 and under a guide roll 76. From the roll 76 the web engages a guideroll 78 carried by an arm 80 extending from the pivotally mountedpresser roll arm 82 and then passes between the intermittently operatedfeed rolls 36, 38.

The continuously operated feed rolls 20, 22 are arranged to feed the Webcontinuously at a rate such as to provide successive lengths to beintermittently advanced into operative position under the forming block12 and severed by the cutter 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the feed roll 22 ismounted on a shaft 84, and the separable drive connection 24 includes aone-tooth ratchet 86 secured to the shaft 84 and a pawl carrier disk 88loose on the shaft and provided with a spring pressed pawl 90 forcooperation with the ratchet. The pawl carrier disk is provided with asprocket formed integrally therewith and is arranged to be rotated by achain and sprocket drive 92 from the main driving mechanism of themachine. A pawl stop 94 forming a part of the control mechanism isarranged to be extended into the path of the pawl 90 to disengage thesame from its ratchet when it is desired to discontinue the feed oflining material. In order to stop the feed roll 22 at a predeterminedpoint to maintain the cyclical relationship, the other end of the shaft84, see FIG. 5, is provided with a notched disk 96 arranged to cooperatewith a roll 98 carried by a pivotally mounted arm 100 and also forming apart of the control mechanism to be described. Web take-up mechanismindicated generally at 102 is provided to maintain the web under tensionduring successive intermittent advancing movements of the web andincludes a take-up roll 104 carried by a spring loaded arm 186 pivotallymounted at 108. The adhesive applying roll 70 is arranged to be rotatedat the same peripheral speed as the feed roll 22 by a chain and sprocketdrive which also passes over an idler sprocket 112, as shown.

The gear and rack mechanism 32 comprises a conventional device whereinthe gear 114 is engaged with the shaft on the downstroke only of therack 116 to effect intermittent advance of the lining material. Theelectric clutch 34 when energized is arrangedto permit rotation of thefeed roll '36 with the gear 114, and when deenergized, the electricclutch permits rotation of the gear 114 without rotating the feed roll.

From the description thus far it will be seen that the lining materialis continuously withdrawn from the supply roll at a controlled rate, andthe withdrawn web is provided with adhesive and then intermittentlyadvanced into operative relation to the forming block and severed toprovide a lining sheet which is subsequently wrapped around the formingblock and sealed to provide a side seam at station A. Upon folding andsealing the extended portions of the lining to provide a bottom closureat station B, the forming block is moved to station C where a cartonblank 42 advanced into operative position to the forming block isWrapped about the lining on the block and provided with a sealed sideseam. The bottom flaps are folded and sealed at station D; pressure isapplied to the bottom closure at stations E and F; and the lined cartonis stripped from the forming block at station G, successive linedcartons stripped from the forming blocks being tipped upright anddeposited on the discharge conveyer 64.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, provision ismade for controlling the operation of the carton forming machine toautomatically discontinue the production of lined cartons when a surplusthereof is detected on the discharge conveyer 64 while permitting themachine to continue in operation, and for again starting the productionof lined cartons after the surplus cartons on the conveyer have beenadvanced beyond the detecting means. In the illustrated embodiment ofthe invention this is accomplished by first discontinuing the feed ofcarton blanks and thereafter discontinuing the feed of lining sheets,the continued operation of the machine serving to complete the linedcartons already started through the machine. The detecting means isdisposed along the discharge conveyer at a point such as to providesufficient space between the receiving end of the delivery conveyer andthe detecting means, as indicated, to accept those few cartons completedafter discontinuing the feed of the carton forming materials. Theadhesive applying devices are also rendered inoperative While permittingcontinuous rotation of the applying rolls to maintain the adhesive influid form to prevent drying thereof.

As illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 1, the detecting mechanismincludes a photoelectric scanner device comprising a light source 118and an electric eye 120 associated with the conveyer 64 in a manner suchthat successive spaced cartons delivered to the conveyer will interceptthe light beam. The photoelectric device is connected in a circuit witha time delay relay 122 (PB), as shown in FIG. 2, adjusted so as topermit passage of successive single spaced cartons without activatingthe relay. However, when a surplus of cartons is accumulated on thecontinuously moving conveyer they will be brought into contiguousengagement so that the light beam will be cutoff for a sufiicient periodof time to trigger the relay. When this occurs, provision is made fordiscontinuing the vacuum to the suction manifold 50 and thus prevent thepickup and transfer of carton blanks from the stack into the machine. Asherein shown, the suction manifold is connected by a flexible tube 124to a vacuum line 126 which may be connected to a vacuum pump, not shown.The vacuum line 126 is provided with a normally closed vacuum valve 128arranged to be piloted to an open position by connections from acompressed air line 130. The compressed air line 130 is connected to amain supply line 132 which may be connected to any usual or preferredsource of compressed air and which is provided with a conventionalfilter 134, air regulator 136 and air gauge 138 to regulate thepressure. The compressed air line 130 is provided with a cam operatedvalve 140 and a solenoid operated pilot valve 142 (SV1) which isincluded in the relay circuit for cooperation with the vacuum valve 128.In operation, the cam operated valve 140 is opened for a predeterminedlength of time each cycle of operation to permit air to pass through thenormally open pilot valve 142 so as to maintain the vacuum valve 128open during the pickup and transfer of a carton blank 42 from the stack44 to the carton blank feed rolls 46, 48. As herein shown, the valve 140is provided with a stem 144 engaged by a pivoted arm 146 having a roller148 cooperating with a cam 150. The cam 150 is fast on a vertical shaft152 connected by bevel gears 154 to the main driving mechanism of themachine. The upper end of the shaft 152 is connected by bevel gears 156to an adhesive applying roll 158 forming a part of the adhesive applyingmechanism 60.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the circuit further includes a microswitch160 (S1) arranged to be closed when the suction manifold reaches the topof its carton blank transfer stroke to present the leading edge of theblank between the feed rolls 46, 48 so that upon release of the suctionthe transferred carton blank will be advanced into the machine. Theswitch 160 is disposed below the parallel linkage 54 and is arranged tobe closed by an extension 162 therefrom when the linkage is at the topof its transfer stroke, as shown in FIG. 4. In this manner the releaseof the suction is timed so that a carton blank Will not be droppedmidway in its transfer movement. Thus, in operation, when the relay 122is energized and the switch 160 is closed, a circuit to the normallyopen solenoid valve 142 is completed to cut off the compressed air feedand permit the normally closed vacuum valve 128 to close, thuspreventing the transfer of a succeeding carton blank into the machine.

The solenoid air valve 142, as indicated in FIG. 2, comprises amomentary impulse type of valve having two coils, one coil 164 beingenergized to hold the valve open .during normal production through acircuit having normally closed contacts 168 (PE), and a second coil 166which is arranged in a circuit having normally open contacts (PB) whichis arranged to be energized when the normally open contacts are closedand the normally closed contacts are opened to cut off the passage ofair through valve 142 and permit closing of the normally closed vacuumvalve 128. Thus, in operation, when the photoelectric relay 122 (PE) isactivated, the normally closed contacts 168 (PE) are opened todeenergize the coil 164 and the normally open contacts 170 (PE) areclosed. Subsequently, when the switch 160 is momentarily closed by thetransfer mechanism at the end of its transfer stroke, the coil 166 willbe energized to effect closing of air valve 142 to discontinue pilotingof air to the vacuum valve 128 and permit closing of the latter. Thevalve 142 will remain closed upon opening of the switch 160 when thetransfer mechanism is moved to its carton pickup position, and since thesuction to the manifold has been cut off, a carton blank Will not betransferred during this cycle of operation. Conversely, when the surpluslined cartons on the delivery conveyer are advanced beyond thephotoelectric device, the relay 122 will be activated to open thenormally open contacts 170 and permit closing of the normally closedcontacts 168. As a result, the coil 166 will be deenergized and the coil164 will be energized to again effect opening of the air valve 142 topilot the compressed air to the vacuum valve 128 to open the same whenthe cam operated valve 140 in air line 130 is opened for a predeterminedtime each cycle of operation.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that the transfer ofcarton blanks is discontinued when a surplus of cartons is detected onthe delivery conveyer 64 while the machine continues in operation toproduce lining blanks and to advance the previously transferred cartonblanks along the intake conveyer 56 to continue to produce lined cartonsto complete the cartons started through the machine. It will also beobserved that the adhesive applying mechanism 60 continues in operationto provide adhesive coated areas 58 on the blanks until the last cartonblanks transferred pass through the adhesive applying mechanism. At thistime a presser roll 172 normally pressing the carton blank up againstthe applying roll 158 is arranged to be lowered through known means, notshown. When carton blanks are subsequently fed, the presser roll 172 isagain raised into operative position to cooperate with the applyingroll.

Provision is made for detecting the absence of a carton blank at apredetermined point along the continuously moving intake conveyer 56 andfor discontinuing the feed of the lining material when such absence isdetected. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the detecting means includesa pivotally mounted finger 174 arranged in the path of an oncomingcarton blank 42. As herein shown, the detecting finger 174 isoperatively connected to a shaft 176 having a switch arm 178 arranged tocooperate with a switch 180 (S2). The switch 180 comprises a two-wayswitch having an upper contact 182 and lower contact 184 as shown inFIG. 2. The switch is arranged to close a circuit through contact 182when the machine is in normal production which will maintain a relay 186(CR) energized. The relay 186 is arranged to close normally opencontacts 188 (CR) to energize the electric clutch 34 (CL) on shaft 190to which the gear 114 of the intermittent gear and rack feed mechanism32 is connected. The end of the detecting finger 174 is held in its upposition to close the circuit through contact 182 when a carton blank ispresent on the intake conveyer 56. Since the carton blanks are advancedon the conveyer 56 in spaced relation, rovision is made for holding thefinger up between the spaced portions during normal operation. As hereinshown, when a carton blank passes beyond the finger 174, an elongatedhorizontally disposed rail 192 is arranged to be elevated each cycle ofoperation to hold the finger up so as to maintain the contact 182 closeduntil a succeeding carton blank is advanced to hold the finger up incontact closing position.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rail 192 is supported at one end by an arm194 loosely mounted on a stationary shaft 196 and is supported at itsother end by one arm 198 of a two-arm lever pivotally mounted at 200.The pivot 200 is carried by an arm 202 clamped to the stationary shaft196. The second arm 204 of the two-armed lever is provided with a camroll 206 cooperating with a cam 208 fast on a cam shaft 210. The clampedarm 202 may be adjusted to change the position of the pivot 200. Thus,in operation, the horizontal rail 192 is rocked upwardly each cycle ofoperation to hold the finger up between the spaced cartons to maintainthe contact 182 closed during normal operation. It will be understoodthat the horizontal rail will be rocked to its down position when acarton blank is advanced to the detecting finger 174 so that if a cartonblank is absent the finger will be free to rock down into an openingprovided in a blank supporting plate 212.

When the absence of a carton blank on the conveyer 56 is thus detectedthe switch 180 will be rocked downwardly to open the circuit throughcontact 182 and close the circuit through contact 184. Opening of thecircuit through contact 182 will deenergize the relay 186 to open thecircuit at contacts 188 so as to deenergize the electric clutch 34 anddiscontinue the intermittent feed of successive lengths of liningmaterial. Closing of the circuit through contact 184 will energize thesolenoid SV2 of a normally closed air valve 214 to open the same.

The air valve 214 is connected in a compressed air line 216 leading fromthe main supply line 132, as shown in FIG. 1, and forms a part of apneumatically operated control arranged to: lock the cam operated rail192 in its lowered position so as to maintain the switch 180 closedthrough contact 184 until carton blanks are again transferred to theconveyor 56 to rock the finger 174 upwardly;

disengage the pawl and ratchet drive connection 24 to the continuouslining feed and withdrawing rolls; bring the shaft 84 to rest in apredetermined cyclical position; and render inoperative the adhesiveapplying mechanism for the lining material.

As herein illustrated, the pawl stop 94 pivotally mounted at 220 isconnected to the piston 222 of a double acting air cylinder 224. Thedouble acting air cylinder is connected to a regulated compressed airline 226 leading from the main supply line 132, one end of the cylinderbeing connected to a line 228 leading from the line 226 and having anormally closed pilot valve i230, and the other end of the cylinderbeing connected to a line 232 lead-ing from the line 226 and having anormally open pilot valve 234. The pilot valves 230, 234 are connectedby a separate compressed air line 236 which is connected by a pilot line238 leading to the normally closed solenoid valve 214. When the valve214 is in its normally closed position the piston 222 is forcedoutwardly to rock the pawl stop 94 out of the path of the pawl as shown.Conversely, when the valve 214 is opened upon closing of the circuitthrough contact 184, the compressed air is permitted to pass throughpilot lines 228, 232 to open the normally closed pilot valve 230 andclose the normally open pilot valve 234, thus permitting the piston 222to be moved inwardly to rock the pawl stop 94 into the path of the pawlto disengage the driving connection and discontinue the withdrawal oflining material from the supply roll.

In order to bring the driven feed roll to rest in a predeterminedcyclical position after the pawl 90 has been disengaged from itsratchet, the roller 98, see FIG. 5, carried by the pivotally mounted armis arranged to be forced into engagement with a cutout 240 formed in thedisk 96 fast on the feed roll shaft 84. This is accomplishedpneumatically by an air piston 242 connected in a line 244 leading froman air line 246 which is in turn connected to the air line 226. Anormally closed pilot valve 248 is connected in the line 244 between theair piston 242 and the line 246 as shown. A pilot line 250 extends froma normally closed pilot valve 252 to the pilot valve 248. The pilotvalve 252 is connected in the line 238 leading from the solenoid valve214 so that in operation when the solenoid valve 214 is opened upondetection of the absence of a carton blank on the conveyer 56 the airpressure will open the pilot valve 252 to permit air to pass through thepilot line 250 to the pilot valve 248, thus permitting the air piston242 to be extended into engagement with the arm 100 and press the roll98 into the cutout 240.

In order to lock the cam operated rail 192 in its lowered position whenthe solenoid operated valve 214 is opened in response to detection of anabsent carton blank, an air piston 254 mounted on the stationary arm 202is arranged to be extended into engagement with a stop 256 carried bythe arm 198. The arm 198 is spring urged to rock the rail upwardly andto hold the cam roll 206' against its cam 208. The air piston 254 isconnected in a pilot line 258 leading from the line 250. Thus, when thevalve 214 is opened to effect opening of normally closed pilot valve252, air is released through lines 250, 258 to extend the air piston 254into engagement with the stop 256 so as to limit the upward movement ofthe rail 192.

As herein shown, the web adhesive applying mechanism 30 includesapplying roll segments 70 and a backup roll 68, the backup roll 68 beingeccentrically mounted as described. In order to prevent operation of theweb adhesive applying mechanism when the absence of a carton blank isdetected, provision is made for separating the backup roll 68 from theadhesive applying roll 70 while permitting continuous rotation of theapplying roll segments. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, theeccentrically mounted backup roll 68 is arranged to be rocked out of acooperative relation to the applying roll by a double acting aircylinder 260 having a piston 262 connected to an arm 264 fast on aneccentric rocker shaft 266 on which the backup roll is rotated. One endof the cylinder is connected by a line 268 to the air line 246, and theother end of the cylinder is connected by a line 270 to the air line246. The line 268 is provided with a normally open pilot valve 272, andthe line 270' is provided with a normally closed pilot valve 274. Thepilot valves 272, 274 are connected by a line 276 which is connected toa pilot line 278 leading from the line 250. Thus, in operation, when thesolenoid valve 214 is opened to effect opening of the pilot valve 252,the compressed air will close the normally open pilot valve 272 and openthe normally closed pilot valve 274 to extend the piston 262 and effectrocking of the backup roll 68 out of cooperative relation to theapplying roll. The air lines 268, 270' are provided with fiow controlvalves 280 between the cylinder 260 and the pilot valves 272, 274 so asto restrict the exhaust from each end of the piston to delay actionuntil the lining feed stops or starts.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that the carton formingmachine is controlled so as to discontinue the feed of carton blanks 42when .a surplus of lined cartons is detected on the discharge conveyer64 and to discontinue the feed of lining material '16 when the absenceof carton blanks is detected on the intake conveyer 56 while permittingthe machine to continue in operation to complete those lined cartonswhich have been started through the machine. Conversely, when the linedcartons on the discharge conveyer 64 are advanced beyond the detectingmeans 118, 120, the relay 122 (PB) will be activated to open the circuitthrough normally open contacts 170 (PE) and to permit closing of thenormally closed contacts 168 (PE), thus holding the solenoid operatedvalve 142 in its open position to again initiate the transfer of cartonblanks onto the intake conveyer. Thereafter, when the detecting finger174 is lifted by the leading edge of an oncoming carton blank, theswitch 180 will be moved to close the circuit through contact 182,thereby again energizing relay 186 to close contacts 188 in the electricclutch circuit to start intermittent feed of the paper. The movement ofswitch 180 to engage contact 182 also opens the circuit through contact1184 to deenergize the solenoid of valve 214 and permits the same toreturn to its normally closed position. Thus, the pawl stop 94 iswithdrawn from the path of the spring pressed pawl 90 to permit the sameto engage its ratchet 86 to again initiate continuous withdrawal oflining material; the air piston 242 is withdrawn to permit the roll 98to rock out of its notch 240; the backup roll 68 is rocked back intooperative position to the adhesive applying mechanism 30; and the airpiston 254 is withdrawn to permit the rail 192 to be rocked upwardly toits full extent during subsequent cycles of operation. The machine willthus again operate to produce lined cartons.

In practice, the feed of the lining material and the feed of the cartonblanks are so related that a carton will always be provided with alining, and when the last carton blank on the conveyer 56 is wrappedaround a lining blank the succeeding forming block will be free of alining so that when the lined cartons are stripped from the formingblocks after discontinuing the feed of carton and lining formingmaterial, the forming blocks will be free of both linings and cartons.Likewise, when production is again started, a lining sheet will havebeen wrapped about a forming block and moved to station C by the time acarton blank 42 transferred from the stack 44 onto the conveyer 56arrives under the forming block to be wrapped around the lining.

Provision is made for controlling the machine to discontinue thetransfer of carton blanks and lining material independently of thephotoelectric detecting device 118, 120. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and3, by turning a rotary selector switch 282 (SS1) from its automaticposition to its idle position, the circuit is discontinued throughcontacts 284, 286 and is established through contacts 288, 298, thusby-passing the relay contacts 168,

170, the circuit being continued through switch to energize solenoid 166of the solenoid valve 142 when switch 160 is closed. As above described,this will close solenoid valve 142 to cut off the piloting of air tovacuum valve 128 and permit closing of the same to discontinue thetransfer of carton blanks to the conveyer 56. As a result, the switchwill be moved to open the circuit through contact 182 to deenergizeelectric clutch 34 and will close the circuit through contact 184 toenergize the solenoid SV2 of the normally closed solenoid valve 214 toopen the same upon detectiton of the absence of carton blanks on theconveyer. Opening of valve 214 to open the same upon detection of theabforming material 16 from the supply roll 18; render inoperative theweb adhesive applying device 30; and lock the rail 192 in its loweredposition, as described, while permitting the machine to continue itscyclical or idle operation. Rotation of selective switch 282 to itsautomatic position will return the machine to its normal condition forproducing lined cartons under the control of the photoelectric device118, 120. This feature of controlling the machine independently of thephotoelectric device is of advantage when the machine is started at thebeginning of a production run to permit the machine to be cycled at itsnormal speed without feeding lining material or carton blanks to enablethe adhesive applying devices to spread a uniform film of adhesive overthe applying rolls so that when the rotary switch 282 is turned toautomatic position to start the feed of carton blanks and liningmaterial, the latter will be provided with uniformly coated adhesiveareas. Selective switch 282 may also be used to discontinue the feed ofcarton blanks and lining material at any time during production to clearthe machine prior to bringing the machine to rest.

It will be understood that the above described control mechanism alsoserves as a safety device to prevent the feed of a lining sheet for oneor more cycles of operation in the event that one or more carton blanksfail to be transferred onto the conveyer 56 due to some malfunction ofthe transfer mechanism. Thus, when the detecting finger 174 is rockeddownwardly by reason of a missing carton blank, the feed of liningmaterial will be automatically discontinued as described.

As above described, the feed of the lining material and the advance ofthe carton blanks is synchronized so that a lining will be provided onthe forming block for each carton blank positioned to be wrapped aroundthe block, thus insuring against cartons without linings or liningswithout cartons when the machine is in production. However, provision ismade in the present control mechanism for running linings alone withoutfeeding carton blanks and for feeding cartons alone without feedinglining material for testing purposes after assembly of the machine inthe factory or after setting up the machine in the field. As illustratedin FIG. 2, if it is desired to run linings only, a rotary selectorswitch 292 (SS2) is turned from its automatic position to its liningsonly position. This will disengage the circuit at contacts 293, 294 toprevent energizing solenoid 164 of valve 142 and will close the circuitat contacts 296, 298 to continue the circuit through switch 160 andsolenoid 166 to hold the valve 142 closed, thus cutting off the vacuumto discontinue the transfer of carton blanks as described. Switch 292(SS2) will also close the circuit at contacts 300, 302 to energize relay186 (CR) to maintain the electric clutch 34 energized and will open thecircuit at contacts 304, 306 to render inoperative the switch 180 toprevent opening of normally closed solenoid valve 214. Thus, the machinemay be operated to produce linings only. In order to return the circuitto normal operation, selector switch 292 must be turned to automaticposition. The above procedure may be followed with the switch 282 ineither automatic or idle position since the circuit to solenoid 164 willbe opened in any event by opening of the circuit at contacts 293, 294.However, in practice, if the ma chine is in production, it is necessaryto first turn selector 1 I switch 282 to idle position to clear themachine of lined cartons whereupon the machine is stopped. Thereafter,the selector switch 292 is turned to its linings only position, asdescribed, before again starting the machine. To resume normalproductiton, both switches 282 and 292 must be turned to automaticposition.

In order to run the machine to produce cartons only, if the machine isin production, selector switch 282 (SS1) is first turned to idleposition to clear the machine of lined cartons. The machine is thenstopped, and the selector switch 282 is returned to automatic position.The presser rolls 38, see FIG. 5, are then manually moved away from theintermittent feed roll 36 to prevent intermittent advance of liningmaterial reagrdless of operation of the gear and rack mechanism 32. Atoggle switch 3% may then be closed to energize solenoid air valve 214to disengage the continuous lining feed connections 24 so that whencarton blanks are advanced to lift the finger 174 and close contact 182of switch 180, lining material will not be fed. In other words, solenoidvalve 214 will be maintained in its open position to prevent the feed oflining material while permitting carton blanks to be advanced andwrapped about the forming block without linings. To resume normalproduction, the above procedure is reversed.

It will be understood that the practice of running linings only orcantons only is merely for testing purposes to assure proper alignmentand fitting of the parts during assembly of the machine and that themachine should be jogged or turned over by hand when following thisprocedure. Also, when running cartons alone, the adhesive applyingdevice for the carton blanks must be rendered inoperative. It will beobserved that the toggle switch 308 may also be used to separate thelining adhesive applying roll from the backup roll so as to facilitatethe initial threading of lining material through the feeding mechanism.

From the above description it will be seen that the present packagingmachine for producing lined cartons is provided With novel control meansarranged to discontinue the production of lined cartons when a surplusthereof is detected on the delivery conveyer so as to prevent jamming ofthe cartons on the conveyer between the present machine and a subsequentmachine, such as a filling machine, in the line while permitting themachine to continue cycling at its normal rate of speed in readiness toagain produce lined cartons when the surplus lined cartons are advancedbeyond the detecting means. It will also be observed that the machinemay be controlled in a similar manner independently of the detectingmeans by turning a switch 282 to idle position. In practice, it ispreferred to run the carton forming machine slightly faster than thefilling machine so as; to assure an adequate supply of lined cartons tosuch machine. Thus, in operation, the carton forming machine willdiscontinue production of lined cartons periodically upon detection of asurplus on the delivery conveyer and then resume productionautomatically when such surplus is advanced on the conveyer beyond thedetecting means. It will also be observed that if at any time duringproduction the transfer mechanism fails to pick up and transfer a cartonblank from the stack onto the intake conveyer, such missing carton blankwill be detected by switch 180 to render the lining feed mechanisminoperative so that a lining sheet will not be provided for such missingblank. In other words, the forming block which comes to rest at stationC during the cycle in which a missing carton blank would normally bepositioned under the forming block will be free of a lining.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been hereinillustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention maybe embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination,means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding liningmaterial into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means forfeeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the liningbags to provide lined cartons, and means under the control of theoperator for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks and lining materialwhile permitting the machine to cycle without producing lined cartons.

2. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination,means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding liningmaterial into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means forfeeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the liningbags to provide lined cartons, and means under the control of theoperator for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks and lining materialwhile permitting the machine to cycle without producing lined cartons,said control means arranged to be actuated to start the feed of cartonblanks and lining material to produce lined cartons during the cyclingof the machine.

3. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination,means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding liningmaterial into the machine to be formed into ilining bags, means for"feeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the liningbags to pnovide lined cartons, means under the control of the operatorfor discontinuing the feed of carton blanks, means for detecting theabsence of a carton blank, and means responsive to said detecting meansfor automatically discontinuing the feed of lining material whilepermitting the machine to cycle without producing lined cartons.

4. In a packing machine of the character described, in combination,means for producing lined cartons including means 'for feeding liningmaterial into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means forfeeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the liningbags to provide lined cartons, means under the control of the operatorfor discontinuing the feed of carton blanks, means for detecting theabsence of a carton blank, and means responsive to said detecting meansfor automatically discontinuing the feed of lining material whilepermitting the machine to cycle without producing lined cartons, saidcontrol means arranged to be actuated to start the feed of cartonblanks, and to automatically start the feed of lining material whencarton blanks are present whereby to start the production of linedcartons.

5. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination,means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding liningmaterial into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means forfeeding carton blanks into themachine to be wrapped about the liningbags to provide lined cartons, a discharge conveyer onto which the linedcartons are deposited to provide a supply thereof, control rneansincluding means for detecting a surplus of line-d cartons in saidsupply, and means responsive to said detecting means for discontinuingthe feed of carton blanks and lining material while permitting themachine to cycle Without producing cartons, those cartons in the processof being produced being completed during the continuous cycling of themachine.

6. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination,means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding liningmaterial into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means forfeeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the liningbags to provide lined cartons, a discharge conveyer onto which the linedcartons are deposited to provide a supply thereof, control meansincluding means for detecting a surplus of lined cartons in said supply,and means responsive to said detecting means for discontinuing the feedof carton blanks and lining material while permitting the machine tocycle without producing cartons, those cartons in the process of beingproduced being completed during the continuous cycling of the machine,said control means arranged to again initiate the feed of carton 13blanks and lining material when said surplus is reduced to a normalsupply.

7. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination,means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding liningmaterial into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means forfeeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the liningbags to produce lined cartons, means for applying adhesive to selectedareas of said blanks and said lining material, a discharge conveyer ontowhich the lined cartons are deposited to provide a supply thereof,control means including means for detecting a surplus of lined cartonson said discharge conveyer, and means responsive to said detecting meanswhen a surplus is detected for discontinuing the feed of carton blanksand lining material and for rendering inoperative said adhesive applyingmeans while permitting the machine including the adhesive applying meansto cycle without producing lined cartons, those lined cartons in theprocess of being produced being completed during the continuous cyclingof the machine to clear the machine of uncompleted linings and cartons.

8. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination,means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding liningmaterial into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means forfeeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the liningbags to produce lined cartons, means for applying adhesive to selectedareas of said blanks and said lining material, a discharge conveyer ontowhich the lined cartons are deposited to provide a supply thereof,control means including means for detecting a surplus of lined cartonson said discharge conveyer, and means responsive to said detecting meanswhen a surplus is detected for discontinuing the feed of carton blanksand lining material and for rendering inoperative said adhesive applyingmeans while permitting the machine including the adhesive applying meansto cycle without producing lined cartons, those lined cartons in theprocess of being produced being completed during the continuous cyclingof the machine to clear the machine of uncompleted linings and cartons,said control means arranged to again initiate the feed of carton blanksand lining material and to render said adhesive applying meansoperative.

when the surplus of lined cartons on the discharge conveyer pass beyondthe detecting means.

9. In a packaging machine, in combination, a plurality of intermittentlymoving forming blocks about which a lining sheet and a carton blank aresuccessively wrapped to produce lined cartons, a discharge conveyer ontowhich the lined cartons removed from successive blocks are deposited toprovide a supply thereof, means for feeding lining material intooperative position to be wrapped about successive blocks, means forfeeding carton blanks into operative position to be wrapped about thelinings on successive blocks, control means including means fordetecting a surplus of lined cartons in said supply, means responsivethereto for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks into the machine,means for detecting the absence of a carton blank, and means responsiveto the absence of a carton blank for discontinuing the feed of liningmaterial while permitting the machine to continue in operation withoutproducing cartons, those cartons in the process of being produced beingcompleted during the continuous operation of the machine.

10. In a packaging machine, in combination, a plurality ofintermittently moving forming blocks about which a lining sheet and acarton blank are successively wrapped to produce lined cartons, adischarge conveyer onto which the lined cartons removed from successiveblocks are deposited to provide a supply thereof, means for feedinglining material into operative position to be wrapped about successiveblocks, means for feeding carton blanks into operative position to bewrapped about the linings on successive blocks including a continuouslymoving intake conveyer, and means for transferring successive blanksfrom a stack thereof in spaced relation onto said intake conveyer,control means including means for detecting a surplus of lined cartonson said discharge conveyer, means responsive thereto for discontinuingthe transfer of carton blanks onto said intake conveyer, means fordetecting the absence of a carton blank on said intake conveyer, andmeans responsive to the absence of a carton blank for discontinuing thefeed of lining material while permitting the machine to continue inoperation without producing lined cartons, those cantons in the processof being produced being completed during the continuous operation of themachine to clear the machine of uncompleted cartons and linings.

11. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the control meansis arranged to again initiate the feed of carton blanks when the surplusof lined cartons pass beyond the detecting means, and to automaticallystart the feed of lining material when the carton blanks are present onsaid intake conveyer whereby to again start the production of linedcartons.

12. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the transfermeans includes suction elements movable to pick up successive blanksfrom the stack and to deliver them to said intake conveyer, and whereinthe control means includes means for cutting oif the suction to saidelements when a surplus of lined cartons is detected on said intakeconveyer.

13. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the transfermeans includes suction elements connected in a vacuum line and movableto pick up successive blanks from the stack and to deliver the same tosaid intake conveyer, said control means including a normally closedpilot operated valve in said vacuum line, and a pilot valve in acompressed air line cooperating with said pilot operated valve tomaintain the same open, said pilot valve being responsive to saidsurplus detecting means to permit closing of said pilot operated valveto discontinue the suction to said transfer means.

14. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the transfermeans includes suction elements connected in a vacuum line and movableto pick up successive blanks from the stack and to deliver the same tosaid intake conveyer, said control means including a normally closedpilot operated vacuum valve in said vacuum line, an electrical circuithaving a solenoid operated pilot valve cooperating with said vacuumvalve and connected in a compressed air line, said surplus detectingmeans comprising a photoelectric scanner device in said circuit arrangedto close said solenoid operated valve to permit closing of said vacuumvalve whereby to discontinue the suction to said transfer means.

15. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the means fordetecting the absence of a carton blank on said intake conveyer includesa pivotally mounted finger arranged in the path of said carton blanks,an electrical circuit including a switch arranged to be actuated whensaid finger is rocked in the absence of a carton blank, pneumaticallyoperated control means for starting and stopping said lining feedincluding a normally closed solenoid operated valve in said circuitarranged to be opened to effect stopping of said lining feed when saidcarton blank detecting switch is actuated.

16. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the lining feedincludes means for continuously withdrawing lining material from asupply roll thereof, means for intermittently advancing predeterminedlengths of said withdrawn material into operative position to be severedand wrapped about a forming block, disengageable drive connections tosaid continuous withdrawing means, and pneumatically operated controlmeans for cooperation with said drive connections arranged to dis engagethe same upon detection of the absence of a blank on said intakeconveyer.

17. A packaging machine as defined in claim 16 where- 15 in the controlmeans includes means for positively stopping said continuous withdrawingmeans in a predetermined cyclical position when said drive connectionsare disengaged.

18. A packaging machine as defined in claim 16 wherein the intermittentadvancing means includes a normally energized electric clutch arrangedto be deenergized upon detection of the absence of a carton blank onsaid intake conveyer.

19. A packaging machine as defined in claim 16 which includes anadhesive applying roll and a cooperating presser roll, and pneumaticallyoperated means for moving the presser roll out of cooperating relationto said applying roll upon detection of the absence of a carton blank onsaid intake conveyer.

20. A packaging machine as defined in claim wherein the control meansincludes means for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks and liningmaterial independently of said detecting means.

21. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the formingblocks are radially arranged and are intermittently rotated tosuccessive operating stations, said lining material being fed andwrapped about the block at one station of operation, and the cartonblanks being fed and wrapped about the lining and the block at asubsequent station of operation, the number of carton blanks transferredto said intake conveyer at said subsequent station prior to detection ofan absent carton blank coinciding with the number of linings wrappedabout successive blocks at said first station whereby each carton isprovided with a lining to complete the lined cartons in the machineafter discontinuance of the lining feed and the carton blank transfer.

22. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the means forfeeding lining material includes means for continuously withdrawinglining material from a supply thereof and means for intermittentlyadvancing .predetermined lengths of the withdrawn material intooperative position to be severed and wrapped about a forming block, eachof said continuous and intermittent feeding means having disengageabledriving elements arranged to be disengaged upon detection of the absenceof a carton blank.

23. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the transfermeans includes suction elements connected in a vacuum line and movableto pick up successive blanks from the stack and to deliver the same tosaid intake conveyer. said vacuum line having a normally closed pilotoperated valve, a normally open solenoid operated pilot valve arrangedin a compressed air line and arranged to pilot air to open said normallyclosed vacuum valve, said compressed air line having a cam operatedvalve arranged to release compressed air to open the vacuum valve for apredetermined time each cycle to perform the transfer operation, saidsurplus detecting means including a photoelectric scanning device havinga relay in circuit with said solenoid operated pilot valve arranged toclose said pilot valve to permit closing of the vacuum valve todiscontinue the transfer operation when a surplus is detected, and aswitch in said circuit arranged to be closed at the delivery end of thetransfer stroke to complete the circuit to the solenoid operated valve.

24. A packaging machine as defined in claim 23 wherein the lined cartonsare deposited on the discharge conveyer in spaced relation, and whereinthe relay is arranged to permit cartons to pass singly, surplus cartonsbeing brought into contiguous relation to effect triggering of therelay.

25. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the means fordetecting the absence of a carton blank on said intake conveyer includesa pivotally mounted finger arranged in the path of said carton blankswhereby the finger is rocked upwardly, an electrical circuit including aswitch actuated by said finger, pneumatically operated control means forstarting and stopping the lining feed including a normally closedsolenoid operated valve in said circuit, said solenoid being energizedto open the valve and stop the lining feed when the switch is actuatedby downward rocking of the finger in the absence of a carton blank, andmeans for normally holding said finger in its upwardly rocked positionto continue the feed of lining material when the finger is above thespace between adjacent spaced carton blanks.

26. A packaging machine as defined in claim 25 wherein the control meansincludes means for locking the finger holding means in its inoperativeposition when a carton blank is absent.

27. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the control meansincludes means for rendering inoperative said carton blank feeding meanswhile permitting the feed of lining material to continue.

28. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the control meansincludes means for rendering inoperative said lining feed whilepermitting the feed of carton blanks to continue.

No references cited.

WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner. JAMES M. MEISTER, Examiner.

1. IN A PACKAGING MACHINE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, IN COMBINATION,MEANS FOR PRODUCING LINED CARTONS INCLUDING MEANS FOR FEEDING LININGMATERIAL INTO THE MACHINE TO BE FORMED INTO LINING BAGS, MEANS FORFEEDING CARTON BLANKS INTO THE MACHINE TO BE WRAPPED ABOUT THE LININGBAGS TO PROVIDE LINED CARTONS, AND MEANS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THEOPERATOR FOR DISCONTINUING THE FEED OF CARTON BLANKS AND LINING MATERIALWHILE PERMITTING THE MACHINE TO CYCLE WITHOUT PRODUCING LINED CARTONS.